Solar Cell with Photocatalyst Layers on Both the Anode and Cathode Providing an Electromotive Force of Two Volts per Cell

Abstract

Solar cells and fuel cells are essential devices that convert sustainable energy into electricity. However, the electromotive forces they provide are in principle limited to less than 1 V, and consequently, they need to be connected in series for practical use. In this study, photocatalyst layers with thicknesses of 0.8–2.1 μm were applied to both electrodes. The primary particle size of TiO₂ was optimized (15–21 nm), and its performance was further improved by doping with organic dyes, e.g., anthocyanins. The electron conductivity of TiO₂ was found to be a primary factor in the performance of the cells, but the film flatness also reduced resistance and improved cell performance. Interestingly, the efficiency of TiO₂ could be evaluated based on the exchangeable surface O atoms via its ¹⁸O₂ exchange tests to suppress the reverse reaction step in water photo-oxidation, which occurs on the anode. UV and visible light were absorbed by TiO₂ and the organic dyes, respectively, creating an electron flow path from the valence band to the conduction band of TiO₂, then, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the organic dyes, then the anode, and finally the cathode via the external circuit. The flow of electrons and holes (separated from electrons in BiOCl on the cathode by UV–visible light) enabled a <i>V</i>_OC value of 2.11 V and maximum power of 73.1 μW cm^–2